Musical instrument



April 9, 1963 F. BASCHET MUSICAL INSTRUMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 28, 1959 April 9, 1963 F. BASCHET MUSICAL INSTRUMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 28, 1959 ill-l. I.

United States Patent Ofiice 3,084,587 Patented Apr. 9, 1963 3,034,537 MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Francois Baschet, 11 Rue Jean de Beauvais, Paris 5, France Filed Sept. 28, 1959, Ser. No. 842,803 Claims priority, application France Oct. 3, 1958 Claims. (Cl. 84-402) My invention has for its object a musical instrument of the type including an acoustic pipe closed at one end by a wall adapted to be subjected to a vibratory movement, which sets the mass of air contained in said pipe in a vibrating condition. The sounds produced by such an acoustic pipe depend on the length of said pipe.

The musical instruments of such a type, as known hitherto, are constituted chiefly by drums wherein the terminal wall is formed by a skin or the like membrane stretched over its body and which has for its object firstly to store energy under the action of the percussion and to transform it subsequently into sinusoidal vibrations which are as little damped as possible, which requires a properly stretched skin and, on the other hand, its second object is to set the mass of air contained in the pipe vibrating with a matched amplitude of vibration, which means the amplitude of vibration should be as large as possible. The two parts to be thus played by the diaphragrn require therefore two conditions which are contradictory, since the high tensioning limits the amplitude of vibration.

The musical instrument according to my invention comprises a frame, at least one pipe of rigid material, the length of the pipes being tuned to the desired notes, said pipes being rigidly secured to the frame, diaphragms made of a pliable material tightly secured at their periphery over one end of each pipe, a rigid member occupying and fast with the central surface of each diaphragm, at least a vibratory element sustained by the frame and having a vibratory motion with respect to said frame and means connecting each vibratory element with the rigid member fast with the diaphragm of the corresponding tuned pipe. According to an auxiliary feature of my invention, the note given out by the instrument is adjustable through a modification of the tuned frequency of the pipe and a simultaneous modification of the characteristic frequency of the vibratory element.

The tuned frequency of the pipe may be modified in any known manner, for instance by a telescopic structure or else by an opening and closing of apertures distributed along the pipe.

According to a preferred embodiment of my invention the vibratory element is a mechanical element such as a system of vibrating metal rods fitted at one end or secured at both ends, said rods being caused to vibrate by any possible control means, for instance through percussion, through electromagnetic means producing vibrations which are substantially in phase with the natural period of the vibrating rods or by means of a so-called glass bow constituted by a glass rod secured perpendicularly to a vibrating rod by a member which is rigid longitudinally of the glass rod and elastic however longitudinally of the vibrating rod.

According to another embodiment the vibrating element is constituted by electrical means such as an electromagnetic system provided with a vibrator or with a tuning circuit.

Other features of the present invention will appear in the reading of the description of various musical instruments as given hereinafter, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial elevational view, partly in section, of a musical instrument according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a corresponding view in a second type of musical instrument.

FIG. 3 is a view of an instrument of the same type as that illustrated in FIG. 1, but incorporating an arrangement providing for the simultaneous adjustment of the tuning frequencies of the acoustic pipe and of the vibrating element.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic sectional longitudinal view of another type of instrument intended more particularly for operation through percussion.

FIG. 5 shows a further instrument with a wiring diagram incorporating a generator of vibratory energy constituted by an electrodynamic system.

Turning to FIG. 1, the musical instrument includes a tube 1 open at both ends. Said tube carries a collar 2 slidable therein and adapted to be held fast in any desired position by one or more screws 3. Said collar is provided with two lateral extensions 4a, 4b which may have a square cross-section, and on each of which is slidingly fitted an upright 5a, 511 respectively through a collar of a corresponding cross-section, the transverse spacing of said upright with reference to the tube 1 being defined by the screws 6a, 6b respectively engaging said collar.

The upper end of the tube 1 is closed by a diaphragm 7, the periphery of which is clamped against the periphery of the tube by a ring 8. Coaxially with said diaphragm are provided on the inner side thereof a washer 9 and on the outer side thereof a washer 10 extending into a rod 11, both washers 9 and 10 being suitably secured and tightened together to the diaphragm 7. The upper end of the rod 11 is perforated and an auxiliary rod 12 forming the vibrating element is fitted transversely inside the perforation of the piston rod 11. In order to further the adjustment and securing operations, said rod 12 is pref erably constituted by a threaded rod. At each of its two ends, the vibrating rod 12 engages the elastic plates 13a, 13b to which it is secured for instance by nuts 14a to 14d. The lower end of each elastic plate 13a, 13b is rigidly secured by a nut 15a, 15b to the upper end of the corresponding upright 5a, 5b respectively. An elastic plate 17, also perforated, is fitted over the rod 12, so as to be urged transversely into contact with the piston rod 11, these different parts being clamped together by means of nuts 18 for instance. A glass rod 19 is rigidly secured to the elastic plate 17 through the agency of a ring or sleeve '20, so as to form therewith a glass bow. Over the rod 12 is also fitted a thick square 21 also clamped in position by a bolt or nut.

The instrument described operates as follows:

A shifting of the collar 2 provides first for adjustment of the tensioning of the diaphragm 7, the collar 2 being then held fast with reference to the tube 1 by the screws 3. This being done, the rod 12 is tuned by shifting laterally the securing points 14 as is readily obtained through a simultaneous sliding of the uprights 5 over the lateral supports 4. The length of the tube 1 is selected so as to provide a tuning of the whole system with a maximum acoustic etficiency.

If now the glass bow is subjected to longitudinal fric tion, it will start the vibrations of the rod 12 and give the washers 9-14) and the diaphragm 7 an alternating movement with the same phase, so as to produce increases and decreases in the pressure of the mass of air inside the pipe 1. The arrangement may also be energized through percussion exerted on the upper surface of the square 21. Such musical instruments may include either a single system producing a single note or else a plurality of systems tuned to different notes,

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the musical instrument includes a pipe 22 fitted in a sleeve 23 rigid with the frame 24 of the instrument, said frame including in particular a rigid bar 25. The pipe is held fast in position inside the sleeve 23 by a binding screw 26. The upper end of the pipe 22 is closed by a diaphragm 27 secured in position by a clam-ping ring 23. The central portion of the diaphragm 27 is clamped between a lower washer 29 and an upper washer 3i) rigid with a vertical extension 31 constituted by a perforated plate.

The vibration generator is constituted by a vibratory rod 32 screwed at one ofits ends inside a tapping formed in the bar 25' of the frame and held fast by means of a locking nut 33. The rod 32 extends through an opening formed in the piston rod 31 and its end opposed to the bar 25 is rigid with a small weight 34. The latter is connected with the bar 25 through a rod 35 which has a greater rigidity than the rod 32 and which passes through a recess in the piston rod 31.

An elastic plate 36 is rigidly secured to the vibrating rod 32 through the agency of two nuts 37a, 37b engaging the rod and clamping between them said elastic plate over the end of the rod 31. On said plate 36 is fitted, through a bolt 38, a socket 39 forming a support for a glass rod 40'.

Furthermore, a bundle of vibrating rods 41 constituted by piano wire elements is secured to the bar 25, for in stance through the agency of a screw 42. The position of the pipe 22 is adjusted so as to ensure a suitable tensioning of the diaphragm 27, If now I exert a longitudinal rubbing action on the glass rod or bow 4-0, the rod 32 will start vibrating and the transverse vibrations of said rod 32 are transmitted through the rod 31, the washers 29-30 and the diaphragm 27 to the mass of air enclosed inside the pipe 22. With the structure disclosed, a fraction of the vibratory energy of the rod 32 is transmitted in the shape of vibrations of a reduced amplitude under a large pressure to the bar 25 and through the later to the bundles of piano wire sections. Said piano wires assume their natural vibratory condition and restore the vibratory energy with a certain time lag and the introduction of harmonics to the bar 25. The vibratory energy thus restored is collected and transmitted by the acoustic pipe 22 with a delay ensuring an echo.

The musical instrument illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a pipe 43 open at both ends. On said tube is fitted a collar 44 carrying two arms 45a, 45b, the ends of which form straps pivotally carrying transverse spindles 46a, 46b for the lever arms 47a, 47b. At one of its ends, each lever arm 47a, 4712 respectively carries two rubber rollers 48, each pair of rollers enclosing one end of a rod 4-9 forming the vibrating element of the instrument. Between the two bearing points of said rod 49 is fitted a glass bow 50 of the type described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, said points of the rod 49 carrying the glass bow carrying also a pair of washers 51a, 51b, cla1nping between them a diaphragm 52, the edge of which is clamped fluidtightly over the outer edge of the tube 43. Said arrangement is identical with that described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

On the tube 43 is slidingly mounted with slight friction an auxiliary tube 53 carrying along two diametrically opposed generating lines radial fins or blades 54a, 54b, the outer edges of which form cams. Said cams cooperate with cam followers 55a, 55b, respectively revolubly carried by the free ends of the levers 47a, 47b, respectively. Springs 56a, 56b urge the levers 47a, 47b into positions for which the cam followers 55a, 55b engage the outer edge of the blades 54a, 54b respectively.

Said instrument operates in the same manner as that described with reference to FIG. 1. In other words, when acting on the glass how 50 through longitudinal friction thereon, the latter starts the vibrations of the rod 49 which makes the pair of washers 51a, 51b and the diaphragm 52 assume a reciprocating movement in phase concordance so as to produce increases and reductions in pressure in corresponding phase relationship inside the mass of air contained in the acoustic pipe.

However, in contradistinction with the instrument illustrated in FIG. 1, that illustrated in FIG. 3 may produce a number of different notes and to each increase in length of the pipe 43-53 there corresponds an increase in the length of the bar 49 between the rollers 48, the spacing of which is obtained through the plates 54a, 54b and the levers 47a, 4712. By way of an indication, it may be mentioned that the lengths L of the pipe constituted by the elementary pipes 43 and 53 and the lengths l of the spacing between the rollers are as follows, for instruments incorporating a pipe with a diameter of 16 mm. and a system including the glass bow 50 and the pair of washers 51a, 51b weighing about 100 grs., while the rod 49 is a steel rod of a diameter of 6 mm.:

NNNNN II II II ll ll mrcrcmrc ggoceuoo Men In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, there is provided again a pipe 57 open at both ends and secured inside a sleeve 58 inside which it is locked by a screw 59. Said sleeve 58 is carried by the frame 60 of the instrument. The upper end of the pipe is closed by a diaphragm 61 rigid with a rigid element 62 of the ty e described hereinabove.

The rigid element 62 is rigidly secured through a rod 63 with the end of a bar 64 which is secured in its turn to the frame 60 by a spindle section 65, the length of which is adjustable. The outer end of the bar 64 carries a small counterweight 66.

It is apparent that it is possible to adjust the vibratory period of the rigid element 62 associated with the bar 64 and the spindle section 65 by acting on the length of said spindle section 65 and on the mass or location of the counterweight 66 so as to make said period register with the resonance period of the acoustic pipe 57. The instrument is energized by hitting with a mallet 67 on the counterweight 66 or on the bar 64. The vibratory oscillations of the bar 64 are transmitted as disclosed hereinabove by the rigid element 62 to the mass of air enclosed inside the acoustic pipe 67.

The musical instrument illustrated in FIG. 5 is an electromagnetically energized instrument. It includes a frame 68 carrying, through the agency of a collar 69, an acoustic pipe 70 round which is slidingly mounted with slight friction a second pipe 71 adapted to provide the different tuned frequencies for the pipe corresponding to different musical notes.

The upper end of the pipe 70 is formed by a diaphragm 72 secured in the manner described and carrying washers 73a, 73b. Said washers are rigid with a rod 74 which, in its turn, is rigid with the core 75 of an electrodynamic power unit 76. Said electrodynamic power unit is fed by a low frequency oscillator, of any suitable type, 77, the frequency-adjusting member of which is coupled with the means shifting the elementary pipe 71.

In the embodiment illustrated, the oscillator is of the condenser-adjusted Hartley type. The adjustable condenser includes a stationary plate or armature 78 constituted by at least two parallel blades between which slides at least one blade 79 carried with the interposition of an insulating element 80 by the movable pipe 71. The blade 79 should have a gradually increasing breadth, so that the value of the capacity of the condenser may increase with the length of the acoustic pipe.

FIG. 5 shows a particular embodiment of the oscillator 77 and of the variable capacity, but any other equivalent arrangement may be used. I

The embodiments described hereinabove by way of example may be subjected to various modifications, without unduly Widening thereby the scope of the invention defined in the accompanying claims.

What I claim is:

l. A musical instrument comprising a support means, a tubular member of rigid material operatively connected to said support means so that said tubular member remains substantially stationary therewith, a diaphragm member of pliable material disposed over one end of said tubular member, means securing the periphery of said diaphragm member to said tubular member so that said diaphragm member can readily move relative to said tubular member, a substantially rigid member disposed against said diaphragm member and movable therewith, vibratory means mounted on said support means for producing vibratory motion when set in motion, means connecting said rigid member and diaphragm member to said vibrating means to fiorm a substantially rigid connection therebetween, and vibration imparting means operatively connected to said vibrating means to set same in vibratory motion which is transmitted .to said rigid member and diaphragm member through said connecting means so that said rigid member and diaphragm member move in accordance with such vibratory motion relative to said tubular member thereby producing increasing and decreasing pressure of the mass of air within said tubular member resulting in audible sounds.

2. A musical instrument according to claim 1 in which said vibration imparting means comprise at least one rod member having a coefficient of friction similar to that of glass, means rigidly connecting said rod member to said vibrating means at substantially a right angle thereto so that when said rod member is longitudinally rubbed the vibrating means is set in vibratory motion.

3. A musical instrument according to claim 1 in which said vibration imparting means includes a percussion member for striking said vibrating means to set same in vibratory motion.

4. A musical instrument according to claim 1 in which a tubular element is connected to said support means and disposed with respect to said tubular member to form a telescopic tubular section therebetween so that said tubular element and tubular member are movable relative to each other, means disposed on said tubular element and operatively connected to said vibrating means to change the frequency of vibration thereof upon said tubular element and tubular member being moved with respect to each other.

5. A musical instrument according to claim 1 in which said vibratory means include at least one tuned metallic rod having one end rigidly connected to said support means, and nontuned generating means rigidly connected to said support means, said non-tuned generating means being set in vibratory motion by the vibrations imparted to said support means by the vibratory motion of said tuned metallic rod.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 493,066 Carpigiani Mar. 7, 1893 1,173,785 Deagan Feb. '29, 1916 1,610,869 Cabot Mar. 15, 1927 1,813,832 Winterhoif Dec. 4, 1929 

1. A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SUPPORT MEANS, A TUBULAR MEMBER OF RIGID MATERIAL OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS SO THAT SAID TUBULAR MEMBER REMAINS SUBSTANTIALLY STATIONARY THEREWITH, A DIAPHRAGM MEMBER OF PLIABLE MATERIAL DISPOSED OVER ONE END OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER, MEANS SECURING THE PERIPHERY OF SAID DIAPHRAGM MEMBER TO SAID TUBULAR MEMBER SO THAT SAID DIAPHRAGM MEMBER CAN READILY MOVE RELATIVE TO SAID TUBULAR MEMBER, A SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID MEMBER DISPOSED AGAINST SAID DIAPHRAGM MEMBER AND MOVABLE THEREWITH, VIBRATORY MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT MEANS FOR PRODUCING VIBRATORY MOTION WHEN SET IN MOTION, MEANS CONNECTING SAID RIGID MEMBER AND DIAPHRAGM MEMBER TO SAID VIBRATING MEANS TO FORM A SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID CONNECTION THEREBETWEEN, AND VIBRATION IMPARTING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID VIBRATING MEANS TO SET SAME IN VIBRATORY MOTION WHICH IS TRANSMITTED TO SAID RIGID MEMBER AND DIAPHRAGM MEMBER THROUGH SAID CONNECTING MEANS SO THAT SAID RIGID MEMBER AND DIAPHRAGM MEMBER MOVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH VIBRATORY MOTION RELATIVE TO SAID TUBULAR MEMBER THEREBY PRODUCING INCREASING AND DECREASING PRESSURE OF THE MASS OF AIR WITHIN SAID TUBULAR MEMBER RESULTING IN AUDIBLE SOUNDS. 